José Antonio Galbiatti

Hierarchy of evidence relating to hand surgery in Brazilian orthopedic journals

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE There is no systematic assessment of the quality of scientific production in the specialty of hand surgery in our setting. This study aimed to systematically assess the status of evidence generation relating to hand surgery and to evaluate the reproducibility of the classification method based on an evidence pyramid. DESIGN AND SETTING Secondary study conducted at Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp) and Faculdade Estadual de Medicina de Marília (Famema). METHODS Two researchers independently conducted an electronic database search for hand surgery studies published between 2000 and 2009 in the two main Brazilian orthopedic journals (Acta Ortopédica Brasileira and Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia). The studies identified were subsequently classified according to methodological design (systematic review of the literature, randomized clinical trial, cohort study, case-control study, case series and other studies) and evidence level (I to V). RESULTS A total of 1,150 articles were evaluated, and 83 (7.2%) were included in the final analysis. Studies with evidence level IV (case series) accounted for 41 (49%) of the published papers. Studies with evidence level V (other studies) accounted for 12 (14.5%) of the papers. Only two studies (2.4%) were ranked as level I or II. The inter-rater reproducibility was excellent (k = 0.94). CONCLUSIONS Hand surgery articles corresponded to less than one tenth of Brazilian orthopedic production. Studies with evidence level IV were the commonest type. The reproducibility of the classification stratified by evidence level was almost perfect.

Effects of platelet-rich plasma on lateral epicondylitis of the elbow: prospective randomized controlled trial

Objective To evaluate the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) infiltration in patients with lateral epicondylitis of the elbow, through analysis of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) questionnaires. Methods Sixty patients with lateral epicondylitis of the elbow were prospectively randomized and evaluated after receiving infiltration of three milliliters of PRP, or 0.5% neocaine, or dexamethasone. For the scoring process, the patients were asked to fill out the DASH and PRTEE questionnaires on three occasions: on the day of infiltration and 90 and 180 days afterwards. Results Around 81.7% of the patients who underwent the treatment presented some improvement of the symptoms. The statistical tests showed that there was evidence that the cure rate was unrelated to the substance applied (p = 0.62). There was also intersection between the confidence intervals of each group, thus demonstrating that the proportions of patients whose symptoms improved were similar in all the groups. Conclusion At a significance level of 5%, there was no evidence that one treatment was more effective than another, when assessed using the DASH and PRTEE questionnaires.

Results from surgical treatment of Morel-Lavallée lesions: prospective cohort study

Objective To present the results from early diagnosis and delayed surgical treatment of a cohort of patients who were diagnosed with Morel-Lavallée lesions. Methods Between January 2006 and December 2013, we performed delayed surgical debridement on Morel-Lavallée lesions, after delimitation of the local tissue necrosis, followed by closure through second intention and/or use of grafts/flaps. Results All the patients evolved with complete closure of the lesion after the delayed debridement, granulation of the operative wound and primary suturing or construction of pedunculated flaps. Three patients (50%) evolved with deep infectious processes due to the successive operative procedures. Conclusion Whatever the treatment methods used are, they should be performed in a radical manner. If not, the patient will be at risk of evolution to septicemia and death.

Exposure of the surgical team to ionizing radiation during orthopedic surgical procedures

Objective the aim of this study was to assess the degree of exposure of the orthopedic surgical team to fluoroscopic ionizing radiation. Methods the ionizing radiation to which the orthopedic surgical team (R1, R2 and R3) was exposed was assayed using thermoluminescent dosimeters that were distributed in target anatomical regions (regions with and without protection using a lead apron). This was done during 45 hip osteosynthesis procedures to treat transtrochanteric fractures that were classified as 31-A2.1 (AO). Results the radioactive dose received by R3 was 6.33 mSv, R2 4.51 mSv and R3 1.99 mSv (p = 0.33). The thyroid region received 0.86 mSv of radiation, the thoracic region 1.24 mSv and the gonadal region 2.15 mSv (p = 0.25). There was no record of radiation at the dosimeters located below the biosafety protectors or on the team members’ backs. Conclusions the members of the surgical team who were located closest to the fluoroscope received greater radiation doses than those located further away. The anatomical regions located below the waistline were the ones that received most ionizing radiation. These results emphasize the importance of using biosafety devices, since these are effective in preventing radiation from reaching the vital organs of the medical team.

Detecting Early Biomechanical Effects of Zoledronic Acid on Femurs of Osteoporotic Female Rats

Aim. To investigate the biomechanical effects of zoledronic acid (ZA) on femurs of female osteoporotic rats after follow-up periods of 9 and 12 months. Methods. Eighty female Wistar rats were prospectively assessed. At 60 days of age, the animals were randomly divided into two groups: bilateral oophorectomy (O) (n = 40) and sham surgery (S) (n = 40). At 90 days of age, groups O and S were randomly subdivided into four groups, according to whether 0.1 mg/kg of ZA or distilled water (DW) was intraperitoneally administered: OZA (n = 20), ODW (n = 20), SZA (n = 20), and SDW (n = 20). The animals were sacrificed at 9 and 12 months after the administration of the substances, and then their right femurs were removed and analyzed biomechanically. Axial compression tests that focused on determining the maximum load (N), yield point (N), and stiffness coefficient (N/mm) of the proximal femur were performed in the biomechanical study. Results. ZA significantly increased the maximum load and yield point, reducing the stiffness coefficient concerning the oophorectomy status and follow-up period. Conclusion. Zoledronic acid, at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg, significantly increased the maximum loads and yield points and reduced the stiffness coefficients in the femurs of female rats with osteoporosis caused by bilateral oophorectomy.

Ultrasonographic study of the femoropatellar joint and its attachments in normal infants from birth to 24 months of age: part I.

Eighty knees of 40 musculoskeletally normal infants whose age ranged from 0 to 24 months (average 9.65 months) were ultrasonographically analyzed. The lengths of the patella, patellar ligament – and the Insall–Salvati index, knee being flexed at 30°, were assessed. The angles of the femoral cartilaginous sulcus knee flexed at 0, 30, 60, and 90° were also defined. Patellar length varied from 1.84 to 2.02 cm (mean, 93.3 cm; standard deviation, 0.35); patellar ligament length varied from 1.67 to 1.86 (mean, 1.76 cm; standard deviation, 0.25); the Insall–Salvati index varied from 1.04 to 1.13, (mean, 1.09; standard deviation, 0.14); and femoral cartilaginous sulcus angle ranged from 148.7 to 149.3° (average, 148.9° and standard deviation, 6.20). Statistical tests showed no significant difference in the proposed measures according to sex and side (right/left). Moreover, we did not observe significant difference in the femoral cartilaginous sulcus angle with respect to the various degrees of knee flexion. Thus, we conclude that ultrasonography is useful for determining the normal values of the Insall–Salvati index and femoral cartilaginous sulcus angle in infants from 0 to 24 months. Then, we suggest standardization of this imaging procedure for the early diagnosis of deformities, which might impair the knee in infants within this range of age.

Ultrasonographic study of the femoro-patellar joint and its attachments in infants from birth to 24 months of age. Part II: children with Down syndrome.

An ultrasonographic study was carried out in 25 infants (50 knees) with Down syndrome, whose age ranged from zero to 24 months, average being 13.2 months; 13 were males and 12 were females. The ultrasonographic investigation was performed with the knee being in full extension for the transversal view and in 30° flexion for the sagittal view. The Insall–Salvati index and femoral cartilaginous sulcus angle were measured. Insall–Salvati index values ranged from 1.06 to 1.15 (average 1.10), with standard deviation of 0.16. No significant differences were observed with regard to Insall–Salvati index values in normal children. The femoral cartilaginous sulcus angle in infants with Down syndrome ranged from 152.7 to 155.8° (average 154.3) with standard deviation of 7.959. In Down syndrome we noticed significant difference as compared to the normal values. The authors suggest that ultrasonography is useful in Down syndrome for an early diagnosis of instability of the patella.

Estudo retrospectivo dos resultados do tratamento cirúrgico de 31 tumores de células gigantes da bainha do tendão da mão

Objective To evaluate the results of the treatment of 31 giant-cell tumors of the tendon sheath of the hand cared for between 2006 and 2015. Methods A group of patients for the present retrospective evaluation was defined, covering the period between February 2006 and November 2015, in which 31 records of patients who underwent surgery due to cell tumor of the tendon sheath of the fingers were studied and evaluated. The recommended treatment was complete excision of the tumor with preservation of the adjacent structures. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathological examination. The progress of the treatment after surgery was evaluated, especially regarding the rate of tumor recurrence. Results Taking all 31 patients into consideration, there was a predominance of the female gender and white ethnicity. Most of these patients were aged between 30 and 50 years. The most affected side was the left one, and most tumors were in the flexor face. There was a predominance of the radial fingers, along with their distal end. A total of 27 patients are being followed up at regular intervals at an outpatient clinic, and three cases of tumor recurrence have been identified. Conclusion An appropriate surgical technique is essential in order to prevent GCTTS recurrences. The results obtained in this research are in agreement with the literature.

Terrible triad of the elbow: evaluation of surgical treatment

Objective This study aims at analyzing retrospectively the clinical-functional and radiographic results of surgical treatment of the terrible elbow triad, with at least 12 months of postoperative follow-up evaluating elbow function. Methods A group of patients for retrospective analysis from 2004 to 2015 was defined, in which 12 patients were studied. They underwent surgery due to fracture of the radial head, coronoid fracture, and elbow dislocation; they were evaluated by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, the degree of patient satisfaction, the degree of trauma energy, radiographic images, range of motion, and complications. Results There was a higher incidence of Regan and Morrey type II coronoid process fractures; in relation to the injuries, nine patients had deinsertion of the brachialis. Half of the patients suffered a fall from their own height as the mechanism of trauma. The extent of elbow flexion and extension averaged 126.6 and 24.1 degrees, respectively; the averages for pronation and supination were 64.1 and 62.0 degrees, respectively. All patients presented muscle strength of grade IV or V. The mean DASH score was 14.3, the mean pain score was 2.5, and a majority of the patients were satisfied with the treatment. Conclusion Despite the total loss of range of motion of the elbow, especially in extension, the treatment was satisfactory for most patients.

Open drainage versus percutaneous drainage in the treatment of tropical pyomyositis: prospective and randomized study

Objective: To compare the results from treating tropical pyomyositis through percutaneous drainage of abscesses versus open surgical drainage of abscesses, by means of a randomized prospective study. Methods: Twenty-five patients with tropical pyomyositis (Chiedozi grade II) were included in this study. They were randomized into two groups: group A (n = 13), treated with antibiotics and open drainage of the abscesses; and group B (n = 12), treated with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of the abscesses. Results: The mean age was 35.3 years (± 19.2) in group A and 30.1 years (± 9) in group B (p = 0.41). There were eight female patients (61.5%) and five male patients (38.5%) in group A; in group B, three were female (25%) and nine were male (75%) (p = 0.11). Staphylococcus aureus was the microorganism most frequently found (72%). The mean hospital stay in group A was 12.7 days (± 2.3), and in group B, 10.6 days (± 1.6) (p = 0.01). The mean duration of antibiotic use in group A was 12.2 days (± 2.3), and in group B, 10.1 days (± 1.5) (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Percutaneous drainage of the abscesses, in association with antibiotic therapy, is an efficient treatment method for tropical pyomyositis grade II, with shorter antibiotic use and hospital stay for patients.